Supervisors critical of bill to block local landfill

San Diego County supervisors Tuesday forcefully sided with the proposed Gregory Canyon landfill, dismissing opposition from a nearby Indian tribe and environmentalists.

Supervisors voted 4-1 to oppose legislation working its way through the Capitol that would block the landfill just off state Route 76 near the Pala Indian Reservation.

Supervisors pointed out that county residents have twice voted in favor of the project. They were also furious that Sacramento was trying to intervene in local affairs.

“If this bill passes it would set an ugly and offensive precedent,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts, who initiated the resolution to oppose the legislation.

“No voter-approved project in any California county would be safe, regardless of whether it was judged to be legal and environmentally in order,” he added.

Supervisor Pam Slater-Price lined up against the landfill. She reminded supervisors that it had never authorized the landfill because it was put on the ballot without going through the board.

The 30-minute debate drew a handful of speakers who urged the county to stand behind the project.

A dozen or so opponents, including environmentalists and Oceanside May Jim Wood, spoke in favor of the legislation.

The legislation has been moving in the Capitol, passing the Senate Environmental Quality Committee earlier this month. Its next stop is the Appropriations Committee on Monday,

Gregory Canyon has been one of the county’s seemingly never-ending stories, spanning nearly two decades, facing voters twice and running a gauntlet of permitting agencies.

The latest barrier is Senate Bill 833, which would ban the landfill because of its potential impacts on the San Luis Rey River, groundwater and Native American culture.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians consider Gregory Mountain, which they often call Chokla, to be one of the resting places of Takwic, a balancing spirit. A few hundred yards away from the proposed landfill footprint sits a large rock with pictographs.

“It’s the equivalent of building a trash dump around a cathedral,” argues state Sen. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, who is carrying the legislation.

Opponents of the landfill also question the need given the increased amount of recycling in the county.

Gregory Canyon’s representatives and its supporters point out that twice San Diego County voters sided with opening a landfill on the property. Gregory Canyon Ltd. has spent $60 millions on plans and permits so far, it says.

The project includes a state-of-the-art layer to protect the river and groundwater.

Supporters are also quick to point out that the protesting tribe has opened a casino on the east side of Gregory Mountain.